Orgonon facts for kids
Orgonon was the home, laboratory, and research center of an Austrian-born scientist named Wilhelm Reich (1897–1957). This special place is located in Rangeley, Maine, in the United States. It is also where Reich was buried. Today, Orgonon is open to everyone as the Wilhelm Reich Museum.
The main building at Orgonon was designed by James B. Bell and finished in 1948. It is a great example of a building style called International Style. This building is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The name "Orgonon" comes from "orgone", which was a type of energy that Wilhelm Reich studied a lot in his later years.
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Exploring Orgonon
The Orgonon property covers about 175 acres (71 hectares) of land. It is west of Rangeley town and north of Rangeley Lake. The property has two main buildings and two smaller cabins.
The Main Research Building
The most important building is called the Orgone Energy Observatory. This is where Dr. Reich did his scientific research. It also had his office and library. The building is made of stone and has two floors with a flat roof.
The main entrance leads into a hallway. On the right side was Reich's laboratory. On the left, there were rooms like a kitchen, bathrooms, and a playroom for his son. Upstairs, there was another bathroom, an office, and living areas. The inside walls are made of knotty pine wood, and the ceilings are plywood.
Meeting and Office Space
There is also a conference center on the property. This building was built in 1945. Dr. Reich called it the Students' Laboratory. Today, the museum uses it for its offices and for meetings.
Cozy Cabins
The Orgonon property also has a cabin called "Tamarack." This cabin has three bedrooms and a full kitchen. It is in a quiet spot away from the main buildings. The Reich family used to live in Tamarack. Dr. Reich wanted this cabin to be available for children who needed a place to stay. Because of this, the group that manages the property lets needy families use the cabin for four weeks each summer.
More to See
